Bail arm

ABSTRACT

Examples disclosed herein relate to a device including a bail arm. In examples, the bail arm to apply force to a receiving surface of an output bin in a first position. In examples, a motor is to move the bail arm from the first position to a second position in which the bail arm does not apply a force to the receiving surface.

BACKGROUND

Sheet outputting devices—including printers, finisher, copiers, scanners, fax machines, multifunction printers, all-in-one devices, or other devices—process and output media such as plain paper, photo paper, transparencies, and other media. In some examples, sheet outputting devices can output media stacks of metals and polymeric media, such as Compact Discs, in addition to or instead of broad and thin media. Sheet outputting devices may output multiple sheets of media into an output tray.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description references the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partial schematic view of a device according to an example.

FIG. 2 is a partial schematic view of the device of FIG. 1 depicting an output tray assembly according to an example.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged schematic view of the device of FIG. 1 according to an example.

FIG. 4 is a partial schematic rear view of an output tray assembly according to an example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following discussion and in the claims, the term “couple” or “couples” is intended to include suitable indirect and/or direct connections. Thus, if a first component is described as being coupled to a second component, that coupling may, for example, be: (1) through a direct electrical or mechanical connection, (2) through an indirect electrical or mechanical connection via other devices and connections, (3) through an optical electrical connection, (4) through a wireless electrical connection, and/or (5) another suitable coupling. The term “connect” or “connected” is intended to include suitable direct connections.

A number of devices output sheets of media into an output bin or tray for retrieval. The size of output media may vary. The speed at which electronic devices process media has been increasing. For example, printing speeds and scanning speeds of devices are increasing. As a result, media is being output to the output tray at increasing rates. Bail arms have been used to control media from ejecting off the output tray. In an example, a number of different print jobs or scan jobs with different size media may be output by an electronic device to an output tray within a short period of time. However, a user may not retrieve the output media immediately. As a result, bail arms may be used to control large volumes of different sized media on an output tray. The dimensions of a bail arm may be chosen to control the smallest sized media output by a device. However, such bail arms may not allow larger sized media to slide underneath or on top of a media stack on the output tray.

To address these issues, in the examples described herein, a device is described which includes a bail arm to control output media. The device includes a motor to lift the bail arm to allow media to be ejected onto the output tray. In such an example, the dimensions of the bail arm may be optimized to control different sized media while allowing the bail arm to be moved to accommodate different sized media in the output tray.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a partial schematic view of a device 10 according to an example. FIG. 2 is a partial schematic view of device 10 of FIG. 1 depicting an output tray assembly 100 according to an example. FIG. 3 is an enlarged schematic view of device 10 of FIG. 1 according to an example. FIG. 4 is a partial schematic rear view of output tray assembly 100 according to an example. In examples, device 10 includes an output tray 15, an axle 20, a bail arm 40, a motor 60, a gear box 70, and a member 80. In examples, bail arm 40 is coupled to device 10 above output tray 15 to provide a downward force on output tray 15. In examples, motor 60 is coupled to bail arm 40 to move bail arm 40 from a first position 5 resting on the output tray to a second position 7 hovering above the output tray.

In examples, device 10 may be any device to output media which may be stacked on an output tray, such as an imaging device, a finisher, etc. An “imaging device” may be a hardware device, such as a printer, scanner, copier, multifunction printer (MFP), or any other device with functionalities to physically produce graphical representation(s) (e.g., text, images, models etc.) on paper, photopolymers, thermopolymers, plastics, fabric, composite, metal, wood, or the like. In some examples, an MFP may be capable of performing a combination of multiple different functionalities such as, for example, printing, photocopying, scanning, faxing, etc. In examples, media may be any type of paper, photopolymers, thermopolymers, plastics, fabric, composite, metal, wood, etc., which may be stacked in an output tray 15 of device 10. In examples, device 10 may output media along media path 17. In examples, media path 17 may be an output media path or a media ejection path for media ejected by device 10. In an example, device 10 may be an inkjet printer to eject paper along media path 17 onto output tray 15. In other examples, device 10 may be a laser printer to output media onto output tray 15.

In examples, output tray 15 may be any structure to receive media output from device 10. In some examples, output tray 15 may be integrated into device 10. In other examples, output tray 15 may be a separate device coupled to device 10. In examples, output tray 15 may include a surface to receive multiple sheets or a stack of output media from device 10. Various parameters related to output tray 15 may be selected for the particular use and design of device 10. For example, the dimensions and orientation of output tray 15 may be determined by the size of the device 10 and the particular use of the system.

In examples, axle 20 may be coupled to device 10 above the receiving surface of output tray 15. Axle 20 includes a central axis 25. Axle 20 may be any type of shaft about which an object may rotate. In some examples, axle 20 may be composed of any material to allow axle 20 to securely couple to and retain bail arm 40 on device 10 such as metal, plastic, composite, wood, etc. In the examples, a pin 50 may connect axle 20 to bail arm 40. In such examples, pin 50 may transfer force from motor 60 to the bail arm 40.

In some examples, bail arm 40 may be any component with a surface area to apply a downward force on output tray 15. In examples, bail arm 40 may be configured to engage or contact a medium as it travels along media path 17 onto output tray 15. In examples, bail arm 40 may be configured to apply a downward force to a medium in output tray 15. In some examples, bail arm 40 may apply sufficient force to a medium traveling along media path 17 to retain the medium in output tray 15. In an example, bail arm 40 may be configured to apply sufficient force to retain paper being ejected by an inkjet printer into an output tray that includes a number of printed pages stacked thereon. In examples, bail arm 40 may be composed of any material with sufficient structural integrity to apply the downward force on output tray 15. For example, bail arm 40 may be composed of a metal, such as aluminum, a metal composite, such as steel, a plastic, a wood, a composite, such as carbon fiber, carbon reinforced plastics, glass-filled plastic, glass-filled nylon, glass-filled polycarbonate, glass filled acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), etc. Various parameters related to bail arm 40 may be selected for the particular use and design of device 10. For example, the dimensions and orientation of bail arm 40 may be determined by the size of the device 10, the size and orientation of media stacked on output tray 15, the ejection rate of media onto output tray 15, and the particular use of the system. In an example, the dimensions of bail arm 40 may be chosen to allow variability in the dimensions of output media. For example, bail arm 40 may be dimensioned to contact different sized media, such as, A3 media or A4 media.

In some examples, bail arm 40 may be coupled to axle 20 in any manner to rotate about central axis 25. In examples, bail arm 40 may rotate about central axis 25 until it comes in contact with another component, for example, output tray 15 disposed below axle 20. In examples, bail arm 40 may rotate about central axis 25 in response to the force of gravity on bail arm 40. In other examples, bail arm 40 may rotate about central axis 25 in response to a force provided by motor 60. In such examples, motor 60 may provide a rotational force in the opposite direction of the force of gravity on bail arm 40 to move bail arm 40. In examples, motor 60 may move bail arm 40 to a position that is not in contact with the receiving surface of output tray 15. For example, motor 60 may move bail arm 40 to a position that is above the receiving surface of output tray 15 such that bail arm 40 is clear of output tray 15 and a media stack thereon. In such an example, a sensor may be used to determine the height of a media stack on output tray 15 and motor 60 may apply a force to lift bail arm 40 to a position above the media stack. In examples, first position 5 of bail arm 40 may be a position in which bail arm 40 is disposed on output tray 15. In such an example, bail arm 40 may apply a force to the receiving surface of output tray 15 in first position 5. In examples, a medium may be disposed on a receiving surface of output tray 15 in first position 5. In examples, second position 7 of bail arm 40 may be a position in which bail arm 40 is disposed above output tray 15. In such an example, bail arm 40 may not apply a force to the receiving surface in second position 7. In examples, a medium may be disposed on a receiving surface of output tray 15 in second position 7. In examples, bail arm 40 may be moved from first position 5 to second position 7 in response to various parameters of a medium to be ejected onto output tray 15, such as, size, orientation, ink density, etc. In such examples, a computing resource may determine when to move bail arm 40.

In some examples, motor 60 may be any machine to covert energy into mechanical energy. In examples, motor 60 may be an electric motor, pneumatic motor, clockwork motor, etc., configured to provide a force to move bail arm 40. In examples, motor 60 may be a separate component of device 10 configured to provide a force to move bail arm 40. In other examples, motor 60 may be part of another component of device 10. In examples, motor 60 may be powered by direct current (DC) sources, such as from batteries, motor vehicles or rectifiers, or by alternating current (AC) sources, such as from the power grid, inverters or generators.

In examples, gear box 70 may be coupled to motor 60 to transfer the force provided by motor 60 to bail arm 40. In examples, gear box 70 may include one or more gears and/or gear trains to transfer power from motor 60 to bail arm 40. In examples, gear box 70 may be configured to control the application of power from motor 60 to bail arm 40. In examples, gear box 70 may be coupled to motor 60 to transfer power from motor 60 to move bail arm 40 from first position 5 to second position 7. In such an example, gear box 70 may convert speed and/or torque from motor 60 to rotate bail arm 40 about axis 25 from first position 5 to second position 7.

In examples, bail arm 40 may move in response to a force from a medium ejected along media path 17 onto the receiving surface of output tray 15. In examples, member 80 may be coupled to bail arm 40 to allow bail arm 40 to move in response to a force from a medium ejected along media path 17 onto the receiving surface of output tray 15. In examples, motor 60 may be idle when bail arm 40 is moved in response to the force from a medium ejected onto the receiving surface of output tray 15. In examples, member 80 may be configured to allow bail arm 40 to freely rotate about axis 25 up to a certain degree. In examples, member 80 may be configured to engage gearbox 70 when bail arm 40 is rotate beyond the certain degree. In such an examples, the certain degree may be in a ninety (90) degree range about central axis 25. In an example, member 80 may allow bail arm 40 to engage gear box 70 when bail arm 40 is rotated more than the certain degree. In examples, member 80 may include one or more ribs disposed to engage motor 60 when bail arm 40 is rotated more than the certain degree. In such examples, the ribs of member 80 may engage gear box 70 when bail arm 40 is rotated more than the certain degree in a direction opposite to the rotational force on bail arm 40 from the force of gravity. In examples, in operation, member 80 may allow bail arm 40 to be moved in response to a force received from a medium ejected onto output tray 15 without providing any force to motor 60 or gear box 70. In such an example, motor 60 and gear box 70 may not provide any force to counter the rotational force on bail arm 40 from a medium ejected along media path 17.

In examples, in operation, bail arm 40 may rotate about axle 20 such that bail arm 40 provides a downward force to a media stack ejected onto output tray 15. Motor 60 may move bail arm 40 to allow a medium to be ejected onto output tray 15. In examples, member 80 may allow bail arm 40 to rotate freely in response to a force from medium ejected onto output tray 15. In such examples, bail arm 40 may rotate about axel 20 freely while still being lifted to a position above a media stack on output tray 15. In such examples, motor 60 may be able to lift bail arm 40 to hover over output tray 15 at position where bail arm 40 is able to contact an ejected medium while allowing a gap between the bail arm 40 and the output tray 15 for a longer medium to slide underneath bail arm 40. In examples, the dimensions of bail arm 40 may be optimized to control different sized media. In examples, bail arm 40 may be moved to a position above output tray 15 to allow for greater access to a user retrieving media from output tray 15.

While certain implementations have been shown and described above, various changes in form and details may be made. For example, some features that have been described in relation to one implementation and/or process can be related to other implementations. In other words, processes, features, components, and/or properties described in relation to one implementation can be useful in other implementations. Furthermore, it should be understood that the systems, apparatuses, and methods described herein can include various combinations and/or sub-combinations of the components and/or features of the different implementations described. Thus, features described with reference to one or more implementations can be combined with other implementations described herein.

The above discussion is meant to be illustrative of the principles and various embodiments of the present disclosure. Numerous variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully appreciated. It is intended that the following claims be interpreted to embrace all such variations and modifications. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A device, comprising: a bail arm to apply a force to a receiving surface of an output tray in a first position; and a motor to move the bail arm from the first position to a second position in which the bail arm does not apply a force to the receiving surface.
 2. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a gearbox coupled to the motor to transfer power from the motor to move the bail arm from the first position to the second position.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein the gearbox comprises at least one gear coupled to the motor to transfer power from the motor to the bail arm.
 4. The device of claim 1, further comprising: an axle coupled to the bail arm about which the bail arm rotates.
 5. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a member coupled to the bail arm to allow the bail arm to move in response to a force from a medium ejected onto the receiving surface.
 6. The device of claim 4, wherein the motor is idle when the bail arm is moved in response to the force from the medium ejected onto the receiving surface.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the motor is a direct current (DC) motor.
 8. An imaging device comprising: a bail arm to apply a force to a receiving surface of an output tray in a first position; a motor to move the bail arm from the first position to a second position in which the bail arm does not apply a force to the receiving surface; and a member coupled to the bail arm to allow the bail arm to move in response to a force from a medium ejected onto the receiving surface, wherein the motor is idle when the bail arm is moved in response to the force from the medium ejected onto the receiving surface.
 9. The imaging device of claim 8, further comprising: an axle coupled to the bail arm about which the bail arm rotates.
 10. The imaging device of claim 8, further comprising: a gearbox coupled to the motor to transfer power from the motor to move the bail arm from the first position to the second position.
 11. The imaging device of claim 10, wherein the gearbox comprises at least one gear coupled to the motor to transfer power from the motor to the bail arm.
 12. The imaging device of claim 10, wherein the member is to engage the gearbox when the bail arm has moved a certain degree.
 13. The imaging device of claim 8, wherein the motor is a direct current (DC) motor
 14. An output tray assembly, comprising: an axle coupled above a receiving surface; a bail arm coupled to rotate about the axle and to apply a force to the receiving surface in a first position; a gearbox coupled to the bail arm to transfer power to move the bail arm from the first position to a second position in which the bail arm does not apply a force to the receiving surface; and a member coupled to the bail arm to allow the bail arm to move in response to a force from a medium ejected onto the receiving surface without engaging the gearbox.
 15. The output tray assembly of claim 14, wherein the member is to engage the gearbox when the bail arm has rotated about the axle a certain degree. 